Notices of New Boohs. 8623 



Their cry is a prolonged tremulous squeal, whence the Indian name 

 Chil (cheel). The nest is made of sticks, often lined with rags, and 

 placed on trees, or on houses and other high buildings, more rarely 

 on rocks ; and the eggs, two or three in number, are generally dirty 

 or greenish white, with or without a few pale brownish or rusty 

 blotches."— (P. 105). 



Spotted Owlet. — " The spotted owlet is one of the most common 

 and universally-spread birds in India, from the Punjab to Burmah 

 and Ceylon. It also extends to Persia and other parts of Asia. It 

 is found everywhere, except in the dense forests ; and it does not 

 ascend the hills to any great height. Every clump of trees, and often 

 a large single tree, especially near a village, is sure to be tenanted by 

 a pair, or a small colony, of these noisy birds. It often takes up its 

 abode, and roosts during the day, in the eaves of houses, or under the 

 roof; and if anything disturbs its rest, comes forth with its noisy, 

 chattering and disagreeable chorus.. - About sunset it is always on the 

 alert, and soon after sunset it sallies forth to feed. It takes short 

 flights, frequently seating itself on the ground, or a paling, or low 

 branch, or outhouse ; and thence captures beetles and other insects 

 on the wing, or snatches one off the branch of a tree ; now and then 

 taking a low and undulating flight over the plain or garden, and drop- 

 ping on any small mice, shrew, lizard or insect it may spy on the 

 ground. I have see^n it capturing white ants on the wing, along with 

 bats, &c. Its usual call is a double note, which is frequently heard at 

 all hours ; and when there are several together they all take it up, ap- 

 pearing to be squabbling among themselves. It is a very familiar bird, 

 not easily driven away from the quarters it has taken up. It breeds in 

 holes of trees, or holes in walls, or old buildings, or in the eaves of 

 houses occasionally. I got some eggs from the roof of my own house 

 at Trichinopoly. It lays usually two to four eggs, which are white 

 and round, from February to June. In Southern India it is regarded 

 with aversion. It is used by some Shikarees for catching small 

 birds. They snare one, or catch one with a rod and bird-lime, and, 

 taking it to the jungle where the wished-for birds reside, tie it on the 

 ground near a low bush, and smear most of the outer twigs of the 

 shrub with bird-lime. The little owlet is soon espied by some bird, 

 and as it is notoriously held in dislike by all small birds, a chatter of 

 alarm is loudly given forth, and joined in by all new-comers, some of 

 which perch on the well-limed branches ; and when the Shikaree 

 sees those he wishes caught, he runs from his place of concealment, 

 and secures the captives. I am told that this mode of capturing 



